Terry Brian (near lane) meets Chris Trussell in the first round.

Marriott Masters Texas State Championships; Jones Clinches 2011 Championship

Words by Chris Graves
Photos by Max Cackle Photos

For the second consecutive season, the Painless Performance Outlaw Fuel Altered Series thundered into San Antonio Raceway to conclude their season headlining the Texas State Championships. Joined by the Southwest Junior Fuel and Texas Blown Fuel Associations, the State Championships culminates the best of modern day nostalgia drag racing in the southwest and also showcases the glory days of the sport with numerous cackle cars, tribute cars and living legends in attendance.
     
The 2011 edition of the TSC was dedicated to the life and memory of Bobby Langley, legendary wheelman of the “Scorpion” dragsters, who passed away the night before the event. Langley was also recognized at the Twilight Memorial Service at the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield, Calif., which was held on the same weekend.
     
For the fuel altereds, a championship was on the line and every round was crucial to positioning in the final 2011 Painless Performance points standings. Leading the hunt coming into San Antonio was Jimmy Jones and the “Texas Tremor” team. Just six points behind sat Terry Brian, enjoying the battle in his rookie season with the series. Bobby Marriott was nipping on their heels in third as Brad Rigler and Aaron Leyda rounded out the top five.
     
With the ambient air temperature reaching the high eighties, warm but comfortable conditions and plenty of sunshine welcomed 19 fuel altereds to the staging lanes for their first qualifying session for the 12-car field.